Genial Fish theory
Matt Kozusko (mkozusko@virtual.park.uga.edu)
Thu, 29 Jan 1998 23:14:35 -0500 (EST)
Scottie writes:
'I've had enough theory,' writes Matt, ' to make me
cringe when I hear words like "author" or "intention"
(particularly when they're used near each other)....'
Now, THIS I simply have to hear about.
Scottie B.
Not until your posts employ proper MLA citation formats.
Just kidding [imagine emoticon of your choice here; I simply can't bring
myself to do it].
What I mean is that while I'm not especially opposed to theory (more
specifically, theory of the poststructural persuasion), I have always been
reluctant to abandon my own preoccupation with Salinger's *meanings*. I'm
quite properly adjusted, theory-wise. I adhere casually to all the key
poststructural maxims while still insisting on good old fashioned close
readings as the basis for any approach. I submit, with just the right
balance of charming alacrity and dignified reserve, to any idea that can
be traced back to Foucault--but, as is only proper, I prefer Greenblatt,
since I can't take my history straight. I refer to J. Hillis Miller
whenever possible, and I dismiss the Leavises with a chuckle whenever they
are brought up. I read Eliot and Pound, but I live in the age of disabuse
(which, of course, only Joyce of the three of them forsaw). I believe in
the textuality of history and the historicity of texts; I acknowledge one
Derrida for the signature-event-context...you get the point.
But I leave all my French illuminati at home when it comes to Salinger.
I was six when we got our first cat ("Mo"). At the time, we had an Irish
Setter named Blue. The cat loved Blue. She used to sleep curled up in
Blue's underbelly. But otherwise, whe was a terror, and she hated
animals. We eventually got a second dog and a few more cats, and Mo
resented all of them. She used to attack them while they slept. But she
never bothered Blue.
I figure I'm ultimately unable to admit my newly-acquired critical
conscience into the world of my first true love, literature wise. Barthes
declaired the death of the author, and I figure he was mostly right. An
author is a device for putting a limit on a text. But at last, this is
all work-day stuff. I still believe in Salinger.
He just does the short story so damned well! I read "Laughing Man" last
night for class--it's probably been years. Such a fantastic story,
though! JDS is one of maybe three or four people I can still read without
a pencil handy...
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mkozusko@virtual.park.uga.edu